Sightline Institute
@sightline.org
Think tank cooking up nonpartisan policy research on housing, energy, climate, and democracy in Cascadia. 🧠🍳 Likes/follows ≠ endorsements.
Newsletters: sightline.org/signup
Newsletters: sightline.org/signup
Reposted by Sightline Institute
A must watch: our friends at @sightline.org explain the elevator policy fixes needed to unlock more inclusive, affordable homes 🛗
The United States has the fewest elevators in the rich world, with Canada only a bit ahead. We teamed up with @uytaelee.bsky.social of About Here Videos to investigate why, exactly, North America sucks at elevators.
North America's Elevator Problem
YouTube video by About Here
youtu.be
January 15, 2026 at 9:21 PM
A must watch: our friends at @sightline.org explain the elevator policy fixes needed to unlock more inclusive, affordable homes 🛗
Reposted by Sightline Institute
WA's scissor stair bill has a hearing Friday at 10:30am.
If you understand why it would be a good thing to allow scissor stairs, please consider testifying, which is easy to do over Zoom, time limit typically 2 minutes.
Link to sign up:
app.leg.wa.gov/csi/Testifie...
Select "remote" testimony.
If you understand why it would be a good thing to allow scissor stairs, please consider testifying, which is easy to do over Zoom, time limit typically 2 minutes.
Link to sign up:
app.leg.wa.gov/csi/Testifie...
Select "remote" testimony.
January 14, 2026 at 7:24 PM
WA's scissor stair bill has a hearing Friday at 10:30am.
If you understand why it would be a good thing to allow scissor stairs, please consider testifying, which is easy to do over Zoom, time limit typically 2 minutes.
Link to sign up:
app.leg.wa.gov/csi/Testifie...
Select "remote" testimony.
If you understand why it would be a good thing to allow scissor stairs, please consider testifying, which is easy to do over Zoom, time limit typically 2 minutes.
Link to sign up:
app.leg.wa.gov/csi/Testifie...
Select "remote" testimony.
If you're interested in scissor stairs and other #WALeg housing solutions, you're gonna want to follow @danbertolet.bsky.social and @homes4wa.org for updates!
The scissor stair bill, HB 2228, is a simple bill to get the state building code council to do a simple thing: adopt code to allow them.
They've been legal in NYC and Vancouver, BC for decades and are common in Europe and Asia.
lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/202...
They've been legal in NYC and Vancouver, BC for decades and are common in Europe and Asia.
lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/202...
January 14, 2026 at 7:48 PM
If you're interested in scissor stairs and other #WALeg housing solutions, you're gonna want to follow @danbertolet.bsky.social and @homes4wa.org for updates!
Inch by inch, elevators in North America have become 85% bigger than the global baseline to fit at least two people, w one in a wheelchair.
It’s part of the reason why the US and Canada now represent less than 3% of new installations. @andersem.bsky.social www.sightline.org/2026/01/11/v...
It’s part of the reason why the US and Canada now represent less than 3% of new installations. @andersem.bsky.social www.sightline.org/2026/01/11/v...
January 13, 2026 at 5:31 PM
Inch by inch, elevators in North America have become 85% bigger than the global baseline to fit at least two people, w one in a wheelchair.
It’s part of the reason why the US and Canada now represent less than 3% of new installations. @andersem.bsky.social www.sightline.org/2026/01/11/v...
It’s part of the reason why the US and Canada now represent less than 3% of new installations. @andersem.bsky.social www.sightline.org/2026/01/11/v...
Reposted by Sightline Institute
Love this video, if for nothing else to be able to easily share what I've learned from following @stephenjacobsmith.com
The United States has the fewest elevators in the rich world, with Canada only a bit ahead. We teamed up with @uytaelee.bsky.social of About Here Videos to investigate why, exactly, North America sucks at elevators.
North America's Elevator Problem
YouTube video by About Here
youtu.be
January 13, 2026 at 11:53 AM
Love this video, if for nothing else to be able to easily share what I've learned from following @stephenjacobsmith.com
Reposted by Sightline Institute
Very rarely in the building codes/ standards world will you see a map with this stark of a contrast.
January 12, 2026 at 6:31 PM
Very rarely in the building codes/ standards world will you see a map with this stark of a contrast.
Reposted by Sightline Institute
Ever lived in a building with an elevator? I haven't. It wasn't until recently that I realized how unusual this is.
In most of the rich world, elevators aren't just for tall buildings in big cities. They're all over.
To be age-friendly & accessible, our society needs to change this. Here's how.
In most of the rich world, elevators aren't just for tall buildings in big cities. They're all over.
To be age-friendly & accessible, our society needs to change this. Here's how.
Video: Fixing North America’s Big Elevator Problem | Sightline Institute
Our bans on smaller elevators block accessible homes, and our insistence on unique standards drives up prices.
www.sightline.org
January 12, 2026 at 4:54 PM
Ever lived in a building with an elevator? I haven't. It wasn't until recently that I realized how unusual this is.
In most of the rich world, elevators aren't just for tall buildings in big cities. They're all over.
To be age-friendly & accessible, our society needs to change this. Here's how.
In most of the rich world, elevators aren't just for tall buildings in big cities. They're all over.
To be age-friendly & accessible, our society needs to change this. Here's how.
#WALeg kicks off TODAY. Our climate team's transmission wish list 👇
WA needs poles and wires in the ground, fast.
State leaders can step up by creating a transmission authority, removing redundancies in project approval processes, focusing enviro analysis, and other recs from @emilymoore.bsky.social and @ktrumbull.bsky.social
State leaders can step up by creating a transmission authority, removing redundancies in project approval processes, focusing enviro analysis, and other recs from @emilymoore.bsky.social and @ktrumbull.bsky.social
How the 2026 Washington Legislature Can Right-Size the Power Grid | Sightline Institute
A transmission authority, plus three other ideas, to speed development of the transmission lines Washingtonians needed yesterday.
www.sightline.org
January 12, 2026 at 4:20 PM
#WALeg kicks off TODAY. Our climate team's transmission wish list 👇
Reposted by Sightline Institute
Every January, self-storage vacancies rise “because everyone makes New Year’s resolutions to get rid of their storage unit.” Vacated units rarely stay empty.
Seattle has 240,000 apartments’ worth of self storage. It’s not enough
www.seattletimes.com
January 10, 2026 at 4:47 PM
Every January, self-storage vacancies rise “because everyone makes New Year’s resolutions to get rid of their storage unit.” Vacated units rarely stay empty.
Reposted by Sightline Institute
This video draws heavily on research by @stephenjacobsmith.com and the Centre for Building in North America. There’s a ton in his report that I couldn’t fit into this story, so I highly encourage you to check it out: www.centerforbuilding.org/publication/...
www.centerforbuilding.org
January 11, 2026 at 11:08 PM
This video draws heavily on research by @stephenjacobsmith.com and the Centre for Building in North America. There’s a ton in his report that I couldn’t fit into this story, so I highly encourage you to check it out: www.centerforbuilding.org/publication/...
Reposted by Sightline Institute
This video about why elevators are so much more expensive to install and maintain in North America than the rest of the developed world is fantastic. (Hint: it's a solvable policy problem!)
youtu.be/Or1_qVdekYM?...
youtu.be/Or1_qVdekYM?...
North America's Elevator Problem
YouTube video by About Here
youtu.be
January 12, 2026 at 2:29 AM
This video about why elevators are so much more expensive to install and maintain in North America than the rest of the developed world is fantastic. (Hint: it's a solvable policy problem!)
youtu.be/Or1_qVdekYM?...
youtu.be/Or1_qVdekYM?...
Reposted by Sightline Institute
NEW VIDEO: North America’s Elevator’s Problem
Elevators are absolutely essential to modern cities..... and it turns out North America kind of sucks at them. We partnered with @sightline.org to look into the many issues plaguing our elevator industry, and what it might take to fix it.
Elevators are absolutely essential to modern cities..... and it turns out North America kind of sucks at them. We partnered with @sightline.org to look into the many issues plaguing our elevator industry, and what it might take to fix it.
The United States has the fewest elevators in the rich world, with Canada only a bit ahead. We teamed up with @uytaelee.bsky.social of About Here Videos to investigate why, exactly, North America sucks at elevators.
North America's Elevator Problem
YouTube video by About Here
youtu.be
January 11, 2026 at 11:02 PM
NEW VIDEO: North America’s Elevator’s Problem
Elevators are absolutely essential to modern cities..... and it turns out North America kind of sucks at them. We partnered with @sightline.org to look into the many issues plaguing our elevator industry, and what it might take to fix it.
Elevators are absolutely essential to modern cities..... and it turns out North America kind of sucks at them. We partnered with @sightline.org to look into the many issues plaguing our elevator industry, and what it might take to fix it.
Reposted by Sightline Institute
This was fascinating and radicalizing.
The United States has the fewest elevators in the rich world, with Canada only a bit ahead. We teamed up with @uytaelee.bsky.social of About Here Videos to investigate why, exactly, North America sucks at elevators.
North America's Elevator Problem
YouTube video by About Here
youtu.be
January 11, 2026 at 10:56 PM
This was fascinating and radicalizing.
Reposted by Sightline Institute
Can’t say enough how excited I am this video is out in the world today. An honor to work on it w @uytaelee.bsky.social, and to highlight this true mobility justice issue in our cities and towns
The United States has the fewest elevators in the rich world, with Canada only a bit ahead. We teamed up with @uytaelee.bsky.social of About Here Videos to investigate why, exactly, North America sucks at elevators.
North America's Elevator Problem
YouTube video by About Here
youtu.be
January 11, 2026 at 10:45 PM
Can’t say enough how excited I am this video is out in the world today. An honor to work on it w @uytaelee.bsky.social, and to highlight this true mobility justice issue in our cities and towns
Reposted by Sightline Institute
Never miss a Uytae video.
North America's Elevator Problem
YouTube video by About Here
youtu.be
January 11, 2026 at 10:32 PM
Never miss a Uytae video.
The United States has the fewest elevators in the rich world, with Canada only a bit ahead. We teamed up with @uytaelee.bsky.social of About Here Videos to investigate why, exactly, North America sucks at elevators.
North America's Elevator Problem
YouTube video by About Here
youtu.be
January 11, 2026 at 10:40 PM
The United States has the fewest elevators in the rich world, with Canada only a bit ahead. We teamed up with @uytaelee.bsky.social of About Here Videos to investigate why, exactly, North America sucks at elevators.
Join our Senior Director of Climate + Energy @emilymoore.bsky.social to talk clean energy in the PNW with @propublica.org, Ecotrust, and @opb.org.
Thurs., Jan. 29 at The Redd in Portland — tickets are free but required: opb.org/nwenergy
Thurs., Jan. 29 at The Redd in Portland — tickets are free but required: opb.org/nwenergy
In Conversation with OPB: Northwest Energy
Take a deep dive with OPB into Northwest energy: how the Pacific Northwest is powered — and where it's falling short.
opb.org
January 9, 2026 at 11:00 PM
Join our Senior Director of Climate + Energy @emilymoore.bsky.social to talk clean energy in the PNW with @propublica.org, Ecotrust, and @opb.org.
Thurs., Jan. 29 at The Redd in Portland — tickets are free but required: opb.org/nwenergy
Thurs., Jan. 29 at The Redd in Portland — tickets are free but required: opb.org/nwenergy
Reposted by Sightline Institute
Half of Seattle rents, including our new mayor (and yours truly).
But renters can't enjoy upgrades that lower bills and make our homes cleaner, safer, and more efficient. Some ideas for how @mayorofseattle.bsky.social can change that:
But renters can't enjoy upgrades that lower bills and make our homes cleaner, safer, and more efficient. Some ideas for how @mayorofseattle.bsky.social can change that:
@mayorofseattle.bsky.social is a renter. So is our climate director @emilymoore.bsky.social – and Emily has ideas for the newly-inaugurated Mayor Wilson to help renters get in on clean energy action like heat pumps, plug-in solar, and induction stoves.
Katie Wilson Can Be Seattle’s Climate Mayor for Renters | Sightline Institute
New programs for heat pumps, induction stoves, and plug-in solar would let renters reap the rewards of the clean energy revolution.
www.sightline.org
January 8, 2026 at 5:59 PM
Half of Seattle rents, including our new mayor (and yours truly).
But renters can't enjoy upgrades that lower bills and make our homes cleaner, safer, and more efficient. Some ideas for how @mayorofseattle.bsky.social can change that:
But renters can't enjoy upgrades that lower bills and make our homes cleaner, safer, and more efficient. Some ideas for how @mayorofseattle.bsky.social can change that:
"The magnitude of the housing shortage is huge, the problems chronic, but the housing crisis is solvable."
@1alexhemingway.bsky.social writes that reforms target the right levers—non-market housing, more supply and zoning reform—but fall short in scale and implementation. @bcpolicy.bsky.social
@1alexhemingway.bsky.social writes that reforms target the right levers—non-market housing, more supply and zoning reform—but fall short in scale and implementation. @bcpolicy.bsky.social
This is why BC’s housing crisis hasn’t been solved yet
The magnitude of the housing shortage is huge, the problems chronic, but the housing crisis is solvable.
Throughout the province and country, the housing crisis is marked by high rents and prices, ...
bcpolicy.ca
January 8, 2026 at 6:39 PM
"The magnitude of the housing shortage is huge, the problems chronic, but the housing crisis is solvable."
@1alexhemingway.bsky.social writes that reforms target the right levers—non-market housing, more supply and zoning reform—but fall short in scale and implementation. @bcpolicy.bsky.social
@1alexhemingway.bsky.social writes that reforms target the right levers—non-market housing, more supply and zoning reform—but fall short in scale and implementation. @bcpolicy.bsky.social
Reposted by Sightline Institute
NEW // Op-Ed: Katie Wilson Can Be Seattle’s Climate Mayor for Renters
Op-ed by Emily Moore via @theurbanist.org // 🔗 www.theurbanist.org/2026/01/08/o...
Op-ed by Emily Moore via @theurbanist.org // 🔗 www.theurbanist.org/2026/01/08/o...
Op-Ed: Katie Wilson Can Be Seattle’s Climate Mayor for Renters » The Urbanist
# Seattle renters are largely locked out of the cost-saving and comfort-improving clean energy appliances, like heat pumps, induction stoves, and solar panels. Newly inaugurated Seattle Mayor Katie Wi...
www.theurbanist.org
January 8, 2026 at 4:28 PM
NEW // Op-Ed: Katie Wilson Can Be Seattle’s Climate Mayor for Renters
Op-ed by Emily Moore via @theurbanist.org // 🔗 www.theurbanist.org/2026/01/08/o...
Op-ed by Emily Moore via @theurbanist.org // 🔗 www.theurbanist.org/2026/01/08/o...
@mayorofseattle.bsky.social is a renter. So is our climate director @emilymoore.bsky.social – and Emily has ideas for the newly-inaugurated Mayor Wilson to help renters get in on clean energy action like heat pumps, plug-in solar, and induction stoves.
Katie Wilson Can Be Seattle’s Climate Mayor for Renters | Sightline Institute
New programs for heat pumps, induction stoves, and plug-in solar would let renters reap the rewards of the clean energy revolution.
www.sightline.org
January 8, 2026 at 4:38 PM
@mayorofseattle.bsky.social is a renter. So is our climate director @emilymoore.bsky.social – and Emily has ideas for the newly-inaugurated Mayor Wilson to help renters get in on clean energy action like heat pumps, plug-in solar, and induction stoves.
Reposted by Sightline Institute
We're baaaack! Back on Bsky, that is — we didn't stop working for more affordable, abundant homes in the legislative off-season.
This group is jazzed about the bills shaping up for 2026 (kicking off Jan. 12) with more to share very soon. Until then, subscribe to our newsletter: homes4wa.org/updates
This group is jazzed about the bills shaping up for 2026 (kicking off Jan. 12) with more to share very soon. Until then, subscribe to our newsletter: homes4wa.org/updates
January 6, 2026 at 8:44 PM
We're baaaack! Back on Bsky, that is — we didn't stop working for more affordable, abundant homes in the legislative off-season.
This group is jazzed about the bills shaping up for 2026 (kicking off Jan. 12) with more to share very soon. Until then, subscribe to our newsletter: homes4wa.org/updates
This group is jazzed about the bills shaping up for 2026 (kicking off Jan. 12) with more to share very soon. Until then, subscribe to our newsletter: homes4wa.org/updates
Reposted by Sightline Institute
Tongass National Forest in Alaska, one of the world’s last temperate rainforests, and the cultures that depend on it face threats from changing federal policy.
One of the last temperate rainforests may soon lose its protections
www.seattletimes.com
January 3, 2026 at 2:41 PM
Tongass National Forest in Alaska, one of the world’s last temperate rainforests, and the cultures that depend on it face threats from changing federal policy.
“We have a housing shortage, that’s the root cause of why prices are so high. We also have cities with a lot of empty, vacant lots in them, sitting there, usually being speculated on." @danbertolet.bsky.social
'Everybody works but the empty lot': Some Spokane leaders eye property tax reform to promote building
As Spokane city leaders look for new ways to boost development, some are leading the charge for a reform to the property tax system which would shift some of the tax burden off of homes and high rises...
www.spokesman.com
January 5, 2026 at 8:44 PM
“We have a housing shortage, that’s the root cause of why prices are so high. We also have cities with a lot of empty, vacant lots in them, sitting there, usually being speculated on." @danbertolet.bsky.social